Lazy Dog Restaurant had its ribbon cutting ceremony on Oct 10th and representatives from SPNA, SPBID, DLANC, L.A. LIVE and other prominent community organizations were invited to participate in the ceremonial opening followed by an intimate reception. Lazy Dog management was very hospitable, and the South Park Neighborhood officially welcomes Lazy Dog to DTLA.

The South Park Farmers Market provides a great opportunity to connect with local vendors and to support local businesses. In this month’s vendor spotlight, I aim to highlight two vendors at South Park’s Farmers Market, Californica and Radicle Roots.

Laura Wang and Jim Madsen were elected to the South Park Stakeholders Group Board, which operates the South Park Business Improvement District (SPBID), at its October 25 meeting. They will each serve a three-year term beginning January 1, 2024.

Hope for the Holidays Toy Drive will provide 2,500 toys for children 0-18 years of age who are served by the Hope Street Margolis Family Center at Hope and Venice in the South Park neighborhood. Approximately 40% of the households in our geographic service area earn less than $25,000 a year, and the Hope Street Margolis Family Center serves 5,000 very low-income children. SPNA encourages all to help our neighbors through California Hospital Medical Center Foundation’s holiday toy drive – a part of our neighborhood for 135 years.

Enlightened city planners have realized the major way to promote a more viable city experience is throttling back on the local automobile access and replacing more cars with more walkability.

Onni Group, one of DTLA’s most active developers, is making great progress on their new residential tower at the corner of Olympic and Hill Streets on the northeastern edge of South Park. When last checked, at least 20 floors of concrete structure had been completed along with windows on a couple of floors.

A long time and revered South Park business has recently changed hands.  The Hope Street Café and Bakery has been purveying coffee, sandwiches, and yummy pastries for better than seven years from its prominent location in the Luma building next to Prank.  The Café’s previous owner, known by all as Mike, is retiring from ownership to pay attention to several physical issues that need to be addressed.

This year we’re rolling out the red carpet for our South Park fur-baby celebrities to strut their stuff down the runway in their best costumes.

Meet Toni, Best Friend to South Park’s Fur Babies!

We had the exciting opportunity to try out Waymo, the self-driving electric car service, while still in its soft opening. The Waymo service is expected to launch for all users later this month.        

THANK YOU TO THE Following ATOSP SPONSORS:

Speaking in support of closing the oil well site operated by Nasco Petroleum at Pico and Broadway at the city hearing on September 28 were South Park Neighborhood Association (SPNA), Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council (DLANC), and South Park residents including Teresa Y Hillery, CD 14 City Council candidate. LA City Planning also presented on the problems and reasons for closing the oil drill site.

Mexican

Taco is now serving!

A Taste of South Park on Sept 23rd is best captured in the images on these pages. During the five-hour event, more than 800 people attended. Most live or work in South Park. Each person has their own story. For me it was about individuals stepping out of their daily routine and for one day coming together for a very happy, memorable, and beautiful day in the neighborhood. 

SPNA is proposing the closure of three blocks of South Grand Ave. from Olympic Blvd to Pico Blvd in order to create a public park for all to enjoy!

Picture eating and drinking while swaying to the local musicians on The Belasco sponsored stage, clicking cups in a toast, taking selfies, engaging with your friends while making new friends in the neighborhood at the Desmond parking lot on the corner of 11th and Grand Avenue. What a beautiful way to experience the positive offerings of South Park at A Taste of South Park on September 23 from 1 -6 pm.  

We visited the Farmers Market on September 2 to talk with our neighbors about their favorites at the market. If you have not been, don’t delay. Every Saturday from 9 – 2 pm on Grand between Olympic and 11th, you can buy produce, cheese, bread, pastries, coffee, Dim Sum, tamales, granola, eggs, prepared foods, gluten-free items, and much, much more.

Why are we living in South Park? Reasons may include diversity, walkability, convenience, economic, lifestyle, and entertainment. Choosing where to live and where to spend most of our time is an important life decision. Just as residents choose where to spend their time, energy, and resources,businesses are faced with similar choices. Should they invest their talents, energy, and dollars in South Park?